Currently all patients with similar type of cancer receive similar treatment, even though the development of a tumor and further progression of the disease is often different in each individual. This traditional approach to cancer treatment has always entailed accepting the risks of individualized adverse reactions, including death, in some cases and inefficiencies that inflate health care costs and undermine patient care. Current advancements in molecular technology has enabled the practice of personalized medicine that proposes customized treatment of individual patients based on each person’s unique clinical, genetic and environmental information. This approach in combination with targeted drug delivery that enables localized delivery of the drug to the target tissue is gaining increasing popularity particularly in cancer management. The combined approach would facilitate maximal response to treatment with minimal dosage and reduce drug induced side effects, toxicity and damage to healthy tissue.

To this end researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a novel approach that integrates personalized medicine with targeted drug delivery for cancer management.

High density lipoprotein nanoparticles for targeted delivery of cancer drugs in personalized medicine

The invention uses synthetic High Density Lipoprotein (sHDL) nanoparticles for targeted delivery of cancer drugs with a personalized medicine approach. The researchers propose to selectively deliver cancer drug containing sHDL nanoparticles to tumors through a receptor that is differentially expressed in tumors. The inventors have demonstrated the proof-of-concept and feasibility of customized, targeted drug delivery to tumors both in vitro and in vivo using this approach. They have also established that drug loaded sHDL has similar or better cytotoxicity in vitro relative to free drug.

Applications

Personalized management of cancer and potentially other disease states

Customized, targeted delivery of cancer drugs to tumors

Advantages

This invention offers the combined advantage of personalized medicine and targeted drug delivery

Improved quality of care that reduces the time and failure rate of therapies